Hello hello, and welcome back to Life On the Brink!
Today I'm giving a little update, because much has changed since the season finale. Firstly, and most importantly, I'm a mom!
Zoe, my daughter, was born on June 11th at 7:27 p.m. at 7 lb 8 oz and 21" long, and she's absolutely perfect. I had a long but peaceful labor and delivered without any complications, and Josh and I have been enjoying/surviving the last month as a family of three.
This is definitely the most difficult thing I've ever done, but now I finally feel like my head is above water and I can begin to envision our future together, and it's just so sweet. Motherhood is something unlike anything else!
I'll be sure to share more about my birth story and the details of this new chapter in Season Five of the podcast...
Obviously, that is the biggest update of the summer, but in other little news, we're continuing to renovate our upstairs bathroom, and I'm in the midst of super fun plans for the library. I'm also in a lovely book-collecting mode for said library, and I'm hoping to spend this coming winter curled up in there with my little girl.
I've absolutely neglected the garden this summer, and decided that it's ok! However, the zinnias and daisies that I planted in the spring have sprung up so beautifully in the front flower bed, and the crepe myrtles that frame our yard, as well as the mimosa tree out back, are in bloom. There's a lot of pink flowers everywhere, and I feel like it's appropriate for this season.
It occurred to me that the mimosa will be in bloom each year around Zoe's birthday, just as tulips bloom around mine. I enjoy thinking about the years and birthdays to come, maybe enjoying lavender fields or the first peaches, and how she will grow with each summer season.
But also, it is HOT where I live. Just days upon days of very hot, very humid weather, so I find myself indoors quite a bit. I don't want to think about autumn too much, as it will excite me prematurely, but I already look forward to sunny walks with the stroller when the temperature is more agreeable.
I'm just starting too cook and bake again, I'm starting to come back to myself again. Some days are more difficult and it's hard for my mind to relax, to explore, but I know this is a very particular season of life and I need to give myself some grace. I'm so supported by my family and my husband, and I that in time we'll find a new flow.
I'm also reading! When I can, of course, and I'm sharing my summer reading list over on the upcoming LOTB newsletter. If you're not signed up, it's free and just for fun!
Books have provided a special respite for my squishy brain, as they always do.
I think that's about it. Thank you to everyone who has already congratulated me on Instagram, and to all of you who have continued to listen to and support the podcast while I've been on this hiatus. I'm planning some sweet and mindful podcast episodes, and look forward to starting back up in the fall.
Until then, have a lovely summer, friend!
What I'm Listening To: This is one of my favorite albums, and it's become even sweeter since my daughter was born. I sing several of these songs to her to help her fall asleep...